Stem Cells Help Parkinson's Patients Recover Without Surgery Or Drugs

A major breakthrough in stem cell therapy is providing new hope for those suffering with Parkinson's disease in the US and worldwide. The procedure using placenta stem cells is reversing current medical thinking which relies heavily on the use of drugsand surgery. This new advancement in medicine may be a significant step in the long sought after cure for Parkinson's disease. Compared to prior medical procedures, this new and very advanced stem cell therapy for Parkinson's patients is showing immediate beneficial effects for many patients, and at a cost most families can afford.

Why Surgery Is Expensive and Risky
In one of the largest FDA approved randomized controlled studies, new Parkinson's research shows motor functions in patients with very advanced symptoms can be improved with brain surgery. The study just published in the June 3 New England Journal of Medicine reports beneficial results from deep brain stimulation (DBS), an extreme and invasive surgical procedure which until now has been one of the most effective weapons in the war on the disease. However, International Stem Cell Institute (ISCI), a leading US based organization in stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine, believes Parkinson's symptoms can be alleviated -- almost to the point of full restoration -- using placenta stem cells. Administering these stem cells, an easy and painless treatment, avoids the risks and costs of surgery. And unlike the wait for future drugs and clinical trials, stem cell treatment for Parkinson's is not years off in the future but available to Parkinson's sufferers right now.

Potential Drawbacks to DBS
One of the most serious adverse effects from DBS is intracranical hemorrhaging. The risk of hemorrhage closely correlates with the number of microelectrode passes used to determine the target location, with experts claiming it's better to do more passes than less to be sure of where the electrodes are placed. "This kind of surgery requires many specialists, a Parkinson's disease expert, a surgeon very skilled in stereotactic functional neurosurgery, a radiologist to precisely locate the target, and a physiologist for microelectrode placement and reading," according to Rita Alexander, ISCI executive director. "Setting the stimulation parameters can take several hours, and more time is required for repeat evaluations to make certain the settings are correct. Clearly this procedure is very costly, risky, and can run $60,000 or more per patient. There may be negative consequences of targeting as well, including cognitive and psychological changes in patients."

Treating Parkinson's with Stem Cells Can Stop The Shaking, Restore Movement
"Physicians have successfully treated over 3,000 patients with many serious chronic diseases and we're putting a huge focus on helping Parkinson's patients. Our procedure represents a dramatic new advance in treating the disease, we're seeing outstanding improved functions in advanced patients who can't be satisfactorily controlled with drugs or high risk surgery," says Alexander. The therapeutic results from placental adult stem cell therapy is clearly effective at relieving the symptoms, and can provide a better quality of life for those in moderate to severe stages of the disease. ISCI is currently offering Parkinson's patients the opportunity to undergo these innovative, less painful and less invasive medical treatments at a reasonable cost compared to brain surgery. "The families and individuals we work with are reporting truly amazing results," Anderson maintains. "Some patients show amazing recovery from the nonstop shaking, regaining their balance and fluidity of motion. Their overall color is better and in some cases full range of movement is being restored." Remarkably patients are recovering their ability to speak, to use handwriting and utensils, and showing decreasing problems with incontinence, swallowing and drooling.

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Parkinson's Disease and the Symptoms

By Beth Maxwell

It was way back in 1817 that it was the first time that Parkinson's disease was actually recognized as a real disease. It was Dr. James Parkinson an English Doctor - who noticed that this disease had four main signs; limb tremors (even when resting), stiffness of the body and limbs, sluggish movements and problems with balance. But it was only in the 1950s that doctors and researchers found the cause of the tremors and other symptoms - it was a lack of dopamine not being produced inside the brain.

Since then there are various treatments available to the Parkinson's sufferer the medication used to treat it all contains dopamine which helps the symptoms of the disease. But many people have trouble recognising or knowing what the symptoms are of the disease.

Recognizing the symptoms of the Condition

Most patients only realize something is wrong with they start to have two out of the four main symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as stiffness of the body, leg tremors, uncontrollable shaking, poor hand writing, difficulty lifting the feet, or finding it difficult to walk through a door.

Another symptom is the slowness of movement. Something that normally took no time at all to do now takes longer because the movements are so much slower in a Parkinson's patient.

Balance problems can also creep up and you may wonder why they walk into door frames or tripping over things. Eventually the tremor or balance problems are joined by other symptoms - until there is no doubt that Parkinson's disease is the cause of it all.

In addition you'll find slow movements and rigidity in the whole body. Also they do a 'shuffle' a walk that doesn't involve the picking up of the feet and just shuffle along. They may also have facial problems as patients with the disease often develop an 'unblinking stare' or look emotionless.

In the early stages of Parkinson's disease it's very easy to laugh at the symptoms showing as an age related problem, or as some people think 'the price of getting older'. Also many patients think that the rigidity and stiffness of the body is actually arthritis.

Parkinson's patients also have a stooped or hunched look. Often it usually takes more than a year for most patients to finally see a doctor about their different problems.

If you or a loved one has any of these symptoms please visit your doctor or physician.

If you have a partner, friend or relative suffering from Parkinson's you can help them to a better life under the circumstances. http://www.parkinsonstreatment.net

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